Firefighter expo puts county's best on display

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, July 16, 2001

After Tropical Storm Allison caused the orginal date of the Third Annual Montgomery County Firefighter's Foundation and Expo to be postponed, the event went off with a few surprises at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

By SONDRA BOSSE

A LifeFlight helicopter with the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, dropped by to win the ambulance division of the Muster unannounced in the morning.

"We were expecting them around 2 p.m.," Joe Craig, chairman of the Firefighter's Challenge said. Instead, the surprise contestant was circling the fairgrounds in the morning hours.

In the muster, where firefighters put a polish on their trucks and equipment for competition, 18 entries were up for judging.

Best fire engine pumper from 1974 to 1979 went to South Montgomery County Fire Department. Needham Road Volunteer Fire Department won for best pumper engine 1980 to 1989.

The Woodlands Fire Department had the best ladder truck, booster truck and boat.

However, the best tanker went to Magnolia Fire Department and in the most competitive category, best engine 1990 to present, the South Montgomery County Fire Department won top honors.

North Montgomery County also won the best staff vehicle.

A special "Best of Show" award was presented to the Granglerland Fire Department in honor of the Smith family.

One year ago, 3-year-old Cody Smith died after an accidental shooting.

"He loved fire trucks. He would have been out here running around," John Hodges, chairman of the Muster, said.

The day was also a chance for firefighters and emergency responders to engage in friendly competition with the Firefighter's Challenge.

Those up for the challenge, raced in wheelchairs, tossed IV bags and participated in the pumper races in the name of fun.

In the pumper races, teams from the North Montgomery County Fire Department came out on top in the men's, women's and juvenile categories.

Saturday's event for the firefighters and emergency responders of Montgomery County was only one of the Montgomery County Firefighter's Foundation's activities.

The 500 Club supports the families of firefighters or medics who have been "killed in the line of duty" or died while in active service and proceeds collected Saturday went into the fund.

The group also hosts an annual softball tournament, "Children Writing Children" where students write to children in burn units and an annual firefighter's ball in October.

At last year's ball, the plaque to be displayed on a memorial monument was dedicated.

The memorial will be near the Lone Star Convention Center on FM 1484 and is set for completion in Fall 2002.

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For more information about the Montgomery County Firefighter's Foundation, visit www.mcff.org.